In 1051, Norman sources claim that William travelled to England and there was appointed by Edward as his heir.

This was while the Godwinsons were in exile

This was supposedly followed up by Edward sending Harold to Normandy to pledge an oath of allegiance to William in 1064, though this is highly contested

Harald Hardrada claimed that Harthacanute had made a deal with Harald's predecessor Magnus of Norway that if either died childless the other would inherit the other Kingdom, therefore Harald wanted to take him up on the offer

In 1066, on his deathbed and in the presence of Archbishop Stigand and the Queen, Edward offered the throne of England to Harold.

Recorded by both Anglo saxon and Norman Sources

Deathbed promise seen by AS people as more sincere as a dying man is closer to God

Edgar the Aethling's father, Edward the Exile, was brought back to england, it is suggested that this was to make him Edward's heir

The title Aethling means prince in Anglo Saxon English, suggesting some acknowledgement may have been made

Election by the Witan

Harold was the first and only claimant to be elected and anointed as King by the Witan

After Harold's death, Edgar was elected by the Witan but was never anointed

Military Experience

Harold had experience fighting in the Welsh Marches against the Welsh King ap Llewelyn

Harald Hardrada was one of the most feared warriors of the medieval world. He was well respected

William had had to fight to retain his Duchy of Normandy.

An example of this was the Breton- Norman war of 1064–1066

Land

Harald Hardrada was King of Norway and so had experience ruling a large country

William was Duke of Normandy and so had experience ruling and protecting his Dutchy

Harold was the leading earl in England

Huscroft points out that Harold and his families’ land was worth about £7,500 while Edward’s was worth under £6,000: “they were arguably more powerful than the King himself”